ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.
Listen "Part 2: The Saudi Shift – Future Leaders and Female Power {Ep. 74}"
Episode Synopsis
Saudi Arabia isn’t following leadership trends.
It’s setting them.
In Part 2 of this bold and insightful conversation, David Jones (CEO of Mercer Talent Enterprise) returns to explore how Saudi and UAE organisations are reshaping the global leadership narrative — with female leaders rising, young talent accelerating, and cultural shifts driving innovation.
This episode is packed with real data, powerful case studies, and grounded advice for HR leaders, executives, and future-focused organisations across the GCC.
What we unpack:
1. The Rise of Female Leadership in Saudi
→ Why female workforce participation surged from 9% to 29% in under a decade
→ How nationalisation policies are leveling the playing field
→ The corporate shifts making the biggest impact — from flexible structures to visible sponsorship
2. The Cultural & Economic Ripple Effect
→ How inclusive leadership is shifting Saudi’s global image
→ Why brands are prioritizing gender-aligned teams to reflect customer power
→ What Saudi’s transformation means for regional benchmarks
3. Building Future-Ready Leaders
→ The paradoxes modern leaders must navigate
→ Why followership is just as important as leadership
→ The surprising innovation potential inside call centres and frontline teams
Data + insights you’ll remember:
✅Saudi now outpaces India in female workforce growth
✅Innovation scores are often highest in frontline staff
✅Gen Z talent expects empowered leadership, not micromanagement
✅Many high-potential women are still invisible without structured assessments
Tools & strategies covered:
✅ Thriving Index – uncover strengths + traits that drive workplace performance
✅ Element X – benchmark well-being at individual and org-wide levels
✅ Lighthouse platform – the "Netflix of assessments" for GCC talent teams
✅ Advice for HR: how to design inclusive pipelines, avoid tokenism, and unlock hidden leaders
Books by David Jones:
The Future of Assessments
Game Changers (female leadership in MENA)
Unlocking the Paradox of Plenty
🎧 Listen if you’re:
Leading HR, talent or strategy in Saudi or the UAE
Supporting the rise of female leaders in your org
Rethinking leadership models to match the speed of change in the region
An emerging/leader looking for guidance to rise
Connect with our guest, David Jones
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-barrie-jones/
- Website: https://thetalententerprise.com/
Follow our Host, Leadership Coach and Learning and Development specialist Andrea Ross
Are you a leader wondering how healthy your team really is?
Uncover the hidden dynamics holding your team back — in just a few clicks.
High-performing teams aren’t built on skill alone. They thrive on trust, clarity, and alignment.
Take the free Team Health Check — it’s fast, insightful, and gives you a clear starting point for better leadership.
🔍 Start the free assessment now
https://www.thecareerestablishment.com/team-health-check-assessment
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/feed/
- Email: [email protected]
- Follow The Career Establishment
- Website: www.thecareerestablishment.com
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/the-care…iewAsMember=true
- Instagram: @TheCareerEstablishment
Want more insights like this?
Subscribe for future-focused leadership content:
www.thecareerestablishment.com/newsletter
It’s setting them.
In Part 2 of this bold and insightful conversation, David Jones (CEO of Mercer Talent Enterprise) returns to explore how Saudi and UAE organisations are reshaping the global leadership narrative — with female leaders rising, young talent accelerating, and cultural shifts driving innovation.
This episode is packed with real data, powerful case studies, and grounded advice for HR leaders, executives, and future-focused organisations across the GCC.
What we unpack:
1. The Rise of Female Leadership in Saudi
→ Why female workforce participation surged from 9% to 29% in under a decade
→ How nationalisation policies are leveling the playing field
→ The corporate shifts making the biggest impact — from flexible structures to visible sponsorship
2. The Cultural & Economic Ripple Effect
→ How inclusive leadership is shifting Saudi’s global image
→ Why brands are prioritizing gender-aligned teams to reflect customer power
→ What Saudi’s transformation means for regional benchmarks
3. Building Future-Ready Leaders
→ The paradoxes modern leaders must navigate
→ Why followership is just as important as leadership
→ The surprising innovation potential inside call centres and frontline teams
Data + insights you’ll remember:
✅Saudi now outpaces India in female workforce growth
✅Innovation scores are often highest in frontline staff
✅Gen Z talent expects empowered leadership, not micromanagement
✅Many high-potential women are still invisible without structured assessments
Tools & strategies covered:
✅ Thriving Index – uncover strengths + traits that drive workplace performance
✅ Element X – benchmark well-being at individual and org-wide levels
✅ Lighthouse platform – the "Netflix of assessments" for GCC talent teams
✅ Advice for HR: how to design inclusive pipelines, avoid tokenism, and unlock hidden leaders
Books by David Jones:
The Future of Assessments
Game Changers (female leadership in MENA)
Unlocking the Paradox of Plenty
🎧 Listen if you’re:
Leading HR, talent or strategy in Saudi or the UAE
Supporting the rise of female leaders in your org
Rethinking leadership models to match the speed of change in the region
An emerging/leader looking for guidance to rise
Connect with our guest, David Jones
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-barrie-jones/
- Website: https://thetalententerprise.com/
Follow our Host, Leadership Coach and Learning and Development specialist Andrea Ross
Are you a leader wondering how healthy your team really is?
Uncover the hidden dynamics holding your team back — in just a few clicks.
High-performing teams aren’t built on skill alone. They thrive on trust, clarity, and alignment.
Take the free Team Health Check — it’s fast, insightful, and gives you a clear starting point for better leadership.
🔍 Start the free assessment now
https://www.thecareerestablishment.com/team-health-check-assessment
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/feed/
- Email: [email protected]
- Follow The Career Establishment
- Website: www.thecareerestablishment.com
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/the-care…iewAsMember=true
- Instagram: @TheCareerEstablishment
Want more insights like this?
Subscribe for future-focused leadership content:
www.thecareerestablishment.com/newsletter
In God we trust